Daryl still wasn't asleep over an hour after he got into bed with Carol because he was too busy trying to think of things other than how good it felt to have her ass pressed up against his dick. Merle… He focused on his brother because nothing could sink a good hard on like Merle's grating voice.

He had already contemplated whether or not Merle would actually follow through with this new passion for acting and as much as he hoped it would stick - he just didn't see it happening. Then Daryl felt like a big asshole for not having more faith in his brother. Maybe rehab had changed him for the better… or maybe his addiction had shifted to something else… At least it was something healthier than drugs and alcohol - sex and acting. Sex… fuck, why did he have to go there? Daryl shifted, feeling his groin tighten slightly.

Quick… think of bad things like Vietnam, 9-11 and spilling your beer. It worked for a moment, but then… Carol rolled over. Daryl froze. One of her legs slipped between his, tangling their limbs and her lips - they were close, really, really close. Daryl knew he should move his face back, put at least a little distance between them but he just couldn't back away. She was so close that if he stuck out his tongue he could lick her lips - Daryl considered it.

Before he could make his decision she let out a little sigh and his entire body started to pulse. Daryl decided not to lick her, instead he closed the tiny gap between them and touch his lips lightly to hers. Daryl closed his eyes and waited for a moment, testing the waters - seeing if she would wake up. When Carol didn't pull away or stir he increased the pressure slightly. To his shock Daryl felt her respond.

Then next thing he knew her lips were parted and his tongue wasn't just licking her lips - it was in her mouth. And her tongue seemed very, very happy to have him there. Daryl instinctively let his hand trail down her back until it rested on her ass and then pulled her closer. His goddam dick was hard as a rock and he resisted the urge to grind against her.

Daryl's mind flashed to what the perfect ass in his hand looked like. God, he wanted to fuck her so badly. He squeezed her rump… just a little too hard… Carol gasped and pulled away. "What? What the? Daryl? What are you doing?" she spat.

"Huh? What? I was sleeping," he lied, untangling their legs quickly, hoping to hell she hadn't felt his rock hard dick before he got away. "What were you doing?" Daryl replied, turning the tables on her. "You kissed me," he accused her, only feeling a little guilty.

"I did not, I was sleeping," Carol replied with a pout. Oh good she bought it, Daryl thought. She narrowed her eyes and gave him a little smile. "If you wanted to kiss me you could have asked," she teased.

Daryl felt his face burn hot. "I… uh…I didn't…" he stammered. "I swear…" he tried to lie again but his voice trailed off.

"Mmm hmm," she replied, still smiling at him. That damn smile… fuck, why is she so beautiful? He was completely mesmerized. Carol bit her lip and her eyes sparkled. "We should sleep," she whispered. "I'll just roll over…" Before he had a chance to make a move her ass was right back where it was, resting against his dick. "Oh," Carol said with a giggle. "Night Daryl."

With his face burning again he reciprocated, "Night."

Somehow through his mortification Daryl fell asleep. When he woke again it was morning and Carol was not in bed with him. His brain instantly went on a road trip to crazytown. Oh God, she's mad… she hates me. No wait, maybe she had to piss. I have to piss. Okay… it's been long enough for a piss and she's not back. Oh wait, maybe she needed to poop - that takes longer… Wait, how long does it take a woman to poop? The same amount of time it takes a man you idiot. I'd be done by now… Maybe she's reading in there. Wait, is she even in the bathroom? Should I get up and check? But what if she is in there and she freaks out because I see her pooping? You're not gonna just walk in on her you jackass… Okay, hold on… maybe she's hungry - she's probably in the kitchen making breakfast. Mmm, breakfast - I could really go for some bacon and eggs… crispy bacon, eggs over easy and a huge cup of coffee… oh and toast. I hope she's making me breakfast right now. What the fuck is wrong with you? She's not your personal chef. And she's probably mad at you anyway so why would she do anything for you? Oh fuck, my breath… it's probably awful… maybe she smelled my yucky morning breath and ran outside for fresh air. Shit, how am I going to get rid of it? I don't have a toothbrush. I could eat some toothpaste or something… would that work? It can't hurt… but mama always said not to eat toothpaste… What if it gives me the shits or something? That would be a fucking nightmare.

"Daryl?" Her voice startled him. Daryl screamed and ducked his head under the blankets. By the time he peeked back out she was laughing her ass off. "You just screamed like a 3 year old girl," Carol snorted.

"Fuck off, you scared me," he shot back. When she continued to laugh he threw a pillow at her. Carol caught it and threw it back.

"The shower is all yours," she said. She didn't look the least bit mad at him. Daryl started to relax. He climbed out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. "Oh, hey… I found a new toothbrush in the drawer - it's on the counter for you."

Daryl cringed… Fuck, must have been my morning breath after all, he thought. He ducked into the sanctuary of the bathroom and shut the door with a long sigh. That woman… his friend… she was going to be the death of him - for sure.

CAROL - CAROL - CAROL - CAROL - CAROL - CAROL

Why is he still acting so weird? Carol wondered. She still hadn't decided if she believed he was asleep when they kissed or if he'd initiated it like she teased him about. He didn't deny it when she called him on it, but she knew she'd caught him off guard, and it was the middle of the night.

Maybe he's just embarrassed about being aroused, she thought. It may have been the one time women actually had it easier. The whole time she was in the shower that morning all she could think about was the kiss and the feel of his erection touching her ass. Part of her wanted to believe he was turned on because of her - because he was sexually attracted to her, but he was a guy and they had kissed… quite passionately, of course he was going to be aroused. Nah, they were friends - no way he thought of her as any more than that.

Ah well, he was fun to tease and she liked the way he blushed when she flirted a bit. But the important thing was that they were friends, really good friends, and in the short time they'd known each other they had become very supportive of one another. Carol didn't want to mess with that. So I guess it's a good thing he doesn't think of me that way, she concluded.

When Daryl came out, showered and dressed, he couldn't even look at her. And every time he had to speak he stammered and mumbled. Finally she'd had enough of the awkward bullshit. "Daryl, we kissed. Get over it," she snapped. He instantly looked wounded by her tone and she felt bad. "I'm sorry," Carol sighed. "I just don't want things to be weird between us. I liked the way things were. Can't we just pretend it never happened? We weren't even awake - it didn't mean anything… right?"

"Hmm, yeah, right… didn't mean anything…" he mumbled in reply. It was followed by something mostly incoherent, though she was able to make out "just friends" in there.

"So are we good?" Carol asked, wanting to make sure.

Daryl nodded, "Yup."

"Great, so when I tease you about poking me in the bum half the night…" Carol paused and bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"I can leave… and you'll be stuck here with no car," he threatened.

Carol pouted, "You wouldn't do that to me, would you?" She blinked innocently at him, "Besides I know how much you love having me on the back of your bike, all snuggled up against your big, strong back… my arms around you…" She was laying it on thick but Daryl ended it with a snort that made her bust out with laughter. "Yep, I think we're good," she said when she could speak again. Carol felt relieved that they were back to their old selves.

All through breakfast they talked and laughed like they always did. As they finished up Carol looked at the time, "Oh no, do you film today?" It was late morning and she was pretty sure whoever was filming that day had to show up around noon.

"Nope, I'm off until tomorrow," Daryl replied.

"Would you mind taking me to see Mike this morning? I just want to apologize for yesterday," Carol replied. Having Daryl around she had pushed the events of the day before to the back of her mind - he was a great distraction. But talking about work brought it back and she couldn't help but feel guilty and unprofessional.

"Don't you dare fucking apologize," Daryl snapped. "Those assholes put you through that… it wasn't necessary. They oughta be apologizing to you."

Carol was touched that he was so protective of her. "I over reacted…" she started. Daryl gave her a look. "Okay, okay… it was awful." She sighed deeply. "I didn't think he could affect me like that still… It makes me feel… weak."

"You ain't," Daryl said softly. "You ain't," he repeated. "You got away." Carol met his eye and once again she saw deep empathy. She still didn't know what had happened to him, but there it was again - a connection between them that was deep and rooted in an understanding of each other's pain.

"Don't be mad… but I still want to swing by the studio and see if Mike is there," Carol said gently. "But I promise I won't apologize."

"You better not," Daryl grumbled in his usual pissed off at the world tone. It was the tone that made most people run away, but didn't phase her one bit.

"You're so cute when you get into guard dog mode," she teased.

"Fuck off," he replied. "Let's go, ain't got all day."

"Technically we do," Carol said, grabbing her coat and following him with a smile. Daryl ignored her and her smile widened.

The route to the studio took them down a back road that ran alongside the interstate once in awhile and through heavily wooded areas for long stretches. It was a bit of a drive, but it was nice. She really enjoyed being on the bike with him and she knew Daryl didn't mind having her there.

With the quiet time and obvious lack of conversation she let her mind wander to the night before once again. As much as she was determined to put it behind them - she couldn't help but think about it. She wasn't going to let it affect their relationship, but what did it hurt to relive that sexy kiss in her mind every now and again?

She started to get into territory she really shouldn't have allowed herself to go into, but they still had a ways to go - she could reign herself back in when they got closer to stopping. Did he enjoy it as much as I did? Did he really know he was kissing me? Or was he dreaming about Jennifer Anniston or that chick with the big boobs on Baywatch? Boobs… yeah, if Daryl's a boob man he ain't gonna be getting much in that department with me. Oh God, what would it feel like to have his hands on my breasts? Or… his mouth sucking my nipples? He certainly knew what to do with his tongue when we kissed… I wonder… if he… likes going down there… Oh stop, you're never going to know the answer to that anyway… Jesus, what is wrong with me? I need to get laid. I really, really do. Thank god for my vibrator… Vibrator… this bike kinda vibrates… If I just shift a little more…. Oh, his chest is really hard… just like his dick was last night… I wonder what he looks like naked? You already know what he looks like… No, I mean naked with a big boner. A great big… massive…

All of a sudden she felt herself slammed into Daryl's back as the bike came to a screeching halt. It was probably for the best that he'd put an abrupt end to her naughty thoughts. "What's wrong?" she said loudly. Daryl pulled the bike over to the side of the road and cut the engine.

He pointed. "The fuck is that?"

Carol looked at the billboard that had caught his attention. "The Walking Dead - new series coming to AMC this fall," she read. Carol smirked at him. "That is one big ass picture of you and Rick… oh and look… there I am, teeny tiny in the background if you squint…"

"Why the hell am I so big?" Daryl looked mortified.

"Aw Sunshine… you're about to be the newest heartthrob on television," she drawled. Carol patted him on the shoulder and uttered a reminder she'd used before and would likely use again, "Just so you know, I liked you first."